Kelly’s script has garnered rave reviews across the industry recently advancing in several big screenplay contests including Page and Austin, before ultimately taking home the Grand Prize Award of the Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition this week. Growing up in a small tow outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kelly moved to Los Angeles 20 years ago to work in advertising. Kelly is a self-taught screenwriter now finishing her third screenplay.

Glitches, her second script, is best described as What’s Eating Gilbert Grape meets Juno. It is a coming-of-age story about a young girl named Penny who moves with her father from California to the cornfields of the Midwest after the loss of her mother and their home. Unable to fit in with her new surroundings, Penny rebels by beginning a relationship with her autistic cousin and clashing with her new classmates and family.

“Kelly’s delightfully engaging voice is present on every page adding color, authenticity and layer upon layer of emotion to all the characters and their choices”

Chariman of the Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition, Joel Mendoza, commented on the win, “Glitches is a heartfelt story that leaves you wanting more. Kelly explores a world rich in relatable themes, memorable characters, and emotionally complex scenarios. It had a deft mix of pathos and humor stitched into every scene. Above all however, Kelly’s delightfully bold and engaging voice is present on every page adding color, authenticity and layer upon layer of emotion to all the characters and their choices.”

On receiving the Grand Prize Award Kelly said, “What wonderful validation! To work so hard for so long and to come so close so many times, this really proves to me that hard work does pay off. That this story connects with others in such a way is truly fulfilling and perhaps the most gratifying part of writing.” In winning, Kelly takes home the $3,000 Cash Award as well prizes from various industry sponsors.

Fresh Voices is a Hollywood literary Consultancy and Annual Screenplay Competition. Since 2009, Fresh Voices has been discovering, nurturing and promoting exciting new voices in screenwriting, and advancing the careers of emerging filmmakers. The Fresh Voices Annual Screenplay Competition offers winning screenwriters the tools, guidance and opportunity to develop great screenplays and pursue a successful career. Now in its 8th year, the competition has become one of the most highly anticipated screenwriting contests of the year by writers and the industry alike.